Galway v Tipperary: Division 1A Final

April 14, 2024

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2024 National Camogie League Division 1A – Final

Galway v Tipperary.
Date: 14 April 2024, 2:30pm
Venue: Croke Park
Referee: Aaron Hogg

FT: Galway 0-15 Tipperary 1-13

VIEW: Match highlights (RTE)

Match Report

Flattering Galway outfit let six-point lead slip in league decider with Tipperary – Connacht Tribune
Not To Be For Galway In National Camogie League Final – Commentary and Reaction – Galway Bay FM
Tipperary beat Galway to win first major camogie title in 20 years – Irish Examiner

Senior Team

Captain – Róisín Black (Oranmore Maree)
Vice Captains – Siobhan McGrath (Sarsfields), Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge)

**Back row (L-R):** Laura Feeney, Laura Kelly, Niamh Mallon, Reitseal Kelly, Niamh Hanniffy, Katie Manning, Ally Hesnan, Mairead Dillon, Niamh Niland, Alannah Kelly, Áine Keane, Annmarie Starr, Dervla Higgins, Sabina Rabbitte, Olwyn Rabbitte, Ciara Donohue, Shannon Corcoran, Ciara Dolan, Niamh McInerney, Jennifer Hughes.
**Front row (L-R):** Sarah Healy, Ava Crowe, Fiona Ryan, Niamh Kilkenny, Aoibheann Barry, Rachel Hanniffy, Siobhan Gardiner, Carrie Dolan, Roisin Black, Aoife Donohue, Siobhan McGrath, Ailish O’Reilly, Orlaith McGrath, Niamh McPeake, Ciara Hickey, Joanne Daly, Ava Lynskey.
Photo credit **Don Soules Photography**

Match Preview

Galway have enjoyed considerable success in the League since Cathal Murray took over the reins. This is their fifth consecutive final – the competition went unfinished due to Covid in 2020 – and they are attempting to secure a fourth title in that period and a three-in-a-row.

They have recovered from losing to Tipp at The Ragg, when Eimear McGrath plundered a hat-trick by keeping clean sheets against Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork with Róisín Black an inspirational captain at full-back and erstwhile attacker Áine Keane making a big splash at centre-back.

Carrie Dolan has excelled both from placed balls and in the loose, while Annmarie Starr has re-established herself at midfield after a lengthy absence. Niamh Kilkenny and Niamh Hanniffy are back in the fold while youngsters Ciara Hickey, Ally Hesnan and Niamh Niland have made an impact, and former Down superstar, Niamh Mallon is now a member of the squad.

It was momentous for Tipp to finally make a national final for the first time since the 2009 League decider. They are attempting to win a first title since their double-winning season of 2004. It would be a third Very League Division 1A crown were they to succeed. Galway are in pursuit of an eighth.

Denis Kelly’s crew lost their opening tie to Waterford but followed up with wins over Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Clare to make it this far, so it is well deserved. They have done so despite being without long-time talisman Cáit Devane, who got married recently, but Karen Kennedy’s return from injury has been significant. Clodagh McIntyre and Karin Blair have blossomed in new defensive roles but it is McGrath who has really taken up the baton.

Another interesting element of this tie is the presence of the Ferncombe brothers on the opposite coaching tickets. Dinny, who spent a number of years with Tipp, has joined Galway while Michael is now in the Premier corner.

There is a lot at stake here and one suspects the result will be in doubt right up to the final whistle.

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